Chapter 474: Chapter 305: Nianjun Enters the City, the Lady Sets Her Scheme, the Benevolent Philanthropist, and a Chance Encounter?

Condition three: Must have a handsome appearance and impressive stature.

The conditions seem simple but are exceedingly difficult. The Snow Mountain fox is a rare beast found in the Snow Mountains, with fur as white as snow; it is excellent at hiding in the snow, and its speed is unmatched, surpassing a Martial Artist’s lightweight skill. Encountering it is a matter of great luck.

Shooting it with archery is even more challenging. Flying Dragon City Lord He Wentian boasts of having godlike archery skills. Despite his many tricks, he still finds it hard to shoot the Snow Mountain fox. Demanding a young man under twenty to kill it is an unreasonable expectation.

The Jianghu guests discussed fervently, claiming this task was impossible.

Li Xian, after delving into it, felt eager to try: "My archery skills are decent, and the Peach Blossom Bow is in the inn. Though I don’t know much about the Snow Mountain fox, I might give it a try. I traveled a long way for this treasure."

"Moreover, the other two conditions...under twenty and handsome. Though I am modest, to be fair, my appearance isn’t bad. Perhaps now, I truly can take a shot."

He felt something odd and pondered: "Can such a windfall be good or bad? I must think deeply and not act rashly." So he remained calm, hesitating to move, and continued to investigate the underlying situation.

He thought...it is essential to clarify Ms. Wang’s background before attempting to obtain the Essence Treasure. If she practices an Evil Technique with an eccentric nature, it might be difficult to gain any benefit.

Li Xian continued his exploration. Skilled at conversing with others to extract useful information, with high Martial Arts skills, keen senses, and the "Rooting Hair" ability. Whether eavesdropping, asking questions, using coercion, or deception, piecing scattered bits of information together.

Gradually, the information became complete.

This Ms. Wang indeed had an impressive background. She is rumored to be naturally kind, enjoying charitable deeds, with immense wealth. She often hosts banquets, inviting the Jianghu heroes and knights. Whenever she has free time, she goes to Flying Dragon Temple to burn incense and pray for the well-being of the people.

Moreover, she freely spends money to purchase cloth to assist the common poor folks. Truly a doer of good deeds, accumulating countless merits. She keeps her promises with one thousand taels as her word. She once asked someone to help carry a piece of wood from the east of the city to the west. If successful, she rewarded four thousand taels of silver.

A Jianghu guest once tried carrying the wood, taking two whole days from the east to the west. Ms. Wang, without a word, rewarded him four thousand taels of silver. This event brought her great reputation. It is said that "Though Ms. Wang is a woman, her words carry more weight than countless heroes."

The Flying Dragon City’s heroes greatly admired her.

...

Such matters abound. All spoke of Ms. Wang being easygoing, kind, trustworthy, sociable... etc. Li Xian investigated for three days; all news was positive.

But he remained doubtful: "Is there really such a reasonable woman in the world? If she intentionally creates a reputation, there must be another agenda. But what is that agenda? Could it be fame? If she seeks fame, that’s easy to handle. Fame-seekers are confined by their reputation."

The same day.

While gathering information, he suddenly heard that Ms. Wang will attend the Flying Dragon Temple’s festival two days later. During the event, she will burn incense and reveal her presence. Li Xian thought: "Just what kind of person is this woman, and can I not find out by seeing her myself? Whether she’s good or evil, acting or pretending, has ulterior motives—by seeing her, it will all be clear."

He immediately steadied his mind, remaining calm. Returning to the inn, silently purging impurities and improving his Martial Arts skill.

[Five Viscera Avoiding Dross and Gathering Yang Scripture · Five Viscera Chapter]

[Skill Level: 2413/24000 Great Success]

[Skill Level +1]

...

The essence of Heaven and Earth within Li Xian’s body was completely digested. There are "six advances" in the Martial Arts Second Realm, and Li Xian was yet to make the "first advance." He roughly calculated that digesting "hundred threads" of Heaven and Earth’s essence could accumulate [1] point of skill level.

Bone Shaping and Embryo in Tai Su Realm requires immense financial support. This realm has another name, called the "Hundred Tripod Realm," meaning that one must undergo the forging of a hundred tripods to barely gain any skill level.

Li Xian benefited greatly from the "Consumption" skill, seizing a huge advantage. Yet the source of the Essence Treasure remains a major issue. Only with the Treasure Tripod can one independently forge, and only then does a Martial Artist count as independent.

He practiced silently.

In no time, two days passed, arriving at the day of the temple festival. Ms. Wang will enter the temple for incense offering. Li Xian discreetly hid among the bustling crowd, attempting to observe the woman closely.

(ps: Finally finished writing... Lately, the overtime work is much. My routine is somewhat chaotic, but will keep updating.)